Daily Dothttp://www.dailydot.com/Daily Dot Articleen-usWed, 25 Jul 2012 11:54:09 +0000California establishes privacy protection unithttp://www.dailydot.com/news/california-privacy-enforcement-protection-unit/<p><img src='//cdn0.dailydot.com/cache/84/e3/84e3fd67580a0d0e0c9831dfdc168b05.jpg'></p><p>
California-based websites playing fast and loose with users&rsquo; privacy, watch out. There&rsquo;s a new sheriff in town.</p>
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Kamala D. Harris, California&rsquo;s Attorney General, <a href="http://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-kamala-d-harris-announces-privacy-enforcement-and-protection">announced</a> plans Thursday to create a special division called the Privacy Enforcement and Protection Unit, devoted to protecting consumer and individual privacy in the digital age.</p>
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&ldquo;The Privacy Unit will police the privacy practices of individuals and organizations to hold accountable those who misuse technology to invade the privacy of others,&rdquo; Harris said in a speech.</p>
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The unit is staffed with six dedicated prosecutors, and it&rsquo;s already functional.</p>
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As noted in a press release from the California Department of Justice, the Privacy Unit would enforce the state&rsquo;s constitution, which <a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate?waisdocid=14386018961+0+0+0&amp;waisaction=retrieve">stresses</a> citizens&rsquo; rights to privacy in its declaration of rights.</p>
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A representative for the Privacy Unit told the Daily Dot via email that any website that breaks its own terms of service and ignores consumers&rsquo; privacy violates California&rsquo;s unfair competition statute. That makes them fair game for the new unit.</p>
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kcollier@dailydot.com (Kevin Collier)Wed, 25 Jul 2012 11:54:09 +0000http://www.dailydot.com/news/california-privacy-enforcement-protection-unit/News